Jen leapt in the air with her wings out and landed directly in front of Scarlet. She picked up the other Sai that lay near Tannah’s body. Scarlet leapt at Jen, cutting her shoulder. Jen didn’t notice the pain. Adrenaline was pumping through her as she focused on Scarlet.
“I’ve waited for the chance to kill you,” Scarlet said.
“Here I am. This will be your only chance,” Jen said as the two began to fight. The sound of the metal weapons rang out. Every move Scarlet made, Jen intercepted, and with every move that Jen made, Scarlet did the same. The two weren’t equal opponents. Scarlet was much wiser and devious when it came to battle. Jen knew this and tried to stay on guard.
It was then, that Jen made her mistake. She was too anxious and swung the Sai at Scarlet’s face. Scarlet dodged it and moved behind Jen’s shoulder as she had turned. Scarlet grabbed Jen’s arms, shoving her to the ground on her knees.
Behind Jen, Scarlet wrapped her arm around Jen’s neck. She placed the blade to Jen’s temple. “I thought you would have lasted longer than this,” she spoke with her lips near Jen’s ear.
Scarlet grabbed Jen’s hair, holding her in place and stood above Jen with the Sai held high, as she positioned herself to force it down. Suddenly, Jen’s wings extended upward with amazing power.
Jen heard a gurgle. She quickly got to her feet and turned to see Scarlet staggering backwards. Blood gushed from her mouth and neck. Jen’s wings had pierced Scarlet’s throat, and she was drowning in her own blood.
Scarlet fell to the ground but was still attempting to hold herself up. Jen reeled back and kicked her, knocking her on her back.
Jen looked down at Scarlet’s hand. The diamond ring still perched on her index finger. Jen ripped the ring from her hand. “I believe this is mine.”
Gage and Kale had defeated the two-cloaked men at the same time. They all started to move towards Tobias, who had remained motionless and unresponsive this entire time. He was still holding the knife that was lodged in Az.
As the three moved towards Az, a roar erupted, stopping them in their tracks. Jen moved closer to Kale and Gage. They all watched Tobias.
“What’s happening?” Jen asked.
“I don’t know,” Kale said. He moved closer to where Az lay but then stopped. Tobias began to convulse violently.
“We have to save her.” Kale leapt towards Az. However, some invisible force threw him back. He hit the ground hard.
A golden glow began to materialize around Tobias. Then he moved, his head shot upward, looking at the ceiling. A bright golden light shined from his eyes and mouth. A strange shriek came from deep inside his chest. It was so loud it shattered the windows. Then the unexpected happened. Golden wings unfolded from Tobias’ back. The wings continued to grow and stretch the length of the room. As the light continued to blast through Tobias, a deep blackness started to eat away at the gold. It started in the center of his chest and began expanding. It looked like ink that had leaked on paper and was absorbing, consuming everything.
The three stared in horror. There was no way to reach Az.
Abruptly, Tobias’ face became level. Jen, Kale, and Gage could see that his eyes had lost the light and were now solid black. The blackness and golden color were beginning to fade. His hands loosened their grip on the knife.
“Something’s changed,” Gage said. He looked over at Kale.
Kale moved closer to Tobias and Az. “His power is fading,” he said, but he was still unsure why.
They watched carefully as the wings shriveled in size and then disappeared completely. Tobias’ eyes rolled upward as his body fell to the ground.
Kano stood behind where Tobias had been, holding Scarlet’s dagger. The dagger had Tobias’ blood on it and now held Tobias’ soul inside of it.
***
Az opened her eyes, staring up at the most beautiful blue sky. She lay there watching the clouds stroll lazily by. They reflected all the shades of the rainbow. It was so peaceful she didn’t want to move.
The grass was tall, and daisies hung over where she lay. The air smelled sweet of honeysuckle, and blue birds were singing in the distance.
Az pulled a daisy from its stem and held it to her face. She loved daisies. The white ones were her favorite. She always thought that they were such a happy flower, reminding her of all the ones that Kale had brought her.
She rubbed the flower gently down her face, causing the florets to leave a tiny trail of yellow. She began humming a quiet tune as she held the flower upward towards the sun–letting it glow in the light.
Az closed her eyes and soaked up the sun that warmed her skin. She thought she heard someone say her name, but it was too far away. She didn’t move nor open her eyes. She was too at peace to even care.
“Azaleigh…,” the voice sang lowly. Az still didn’t move. She just smiled at the softness of the voice.
“Az…a…leigh…,” the voice sang again. Her smile stretched, even more, across her face. “Where are you, Rabbit?” the voice continued.
Opening her eyes, Az’s smile faded as she listened for the voice. “Where are you hiding?” the voice called.
Sitting up, Az looked around, but the grass was too tall. She pulled herself to her feet. In the distance, she could see a woman standing in a blue dress. Her blonde hair held big curls and lay on her shoulders.
Az held up her hand, shielding her face from the sun. The woman waved at Az, motioning her to come.
She hesitated at the thought of saying her name before she spoke. “Mom?”
The woman’s voice flooded the air, but her lips never moved. Az ran in her direction, and as she ran, the woman disappeared and reappeared closer and closer.
The daisies pulled at Azaleigh’s dress as she ran. She took notice that the dress she was wearing was bright yellow. “Mom, is that you?”
Instantly, the woman reappeared in front of Az.
“Mom!” Az screamed with excitement. She threw her arms around her, pulling her as close as possible. Az began to cry. This couldn’t be real.
“But it is real,” her mom said. “I’ve missed you, Rabbit.”
Az sighed, hearing the name Rabbit. Her mother had always called her that. The name had stuck from the bedtime story that she used to read to her. When she was little, it used to embarrass her, but now, it was soothing and special. It was something she had missed for quite some time.
She pulled Az at arm’s length to look at her. “You’ve grown up so beautifully. Seeing you from above doesn’t do it justice. Looking at you this close is truly an amazing sight.” She smiled and then brushed Az’s hair with her hand.
“Am I in Heaven?” Az asked.
“You don’t recognize this place?” her mom asked in a surprised tone.
Az shook her head. “I can’t remember.”
“I brought you here one summer when you were six years old. You told me that it was the most charming place you had ever seen, and then you cried when we left. Even though this isn’t the same place, I thought you would like to see it one more time. It’s not Heaven…. It's in between. It’s more like a state of mind.” Her Mom explained.
“Am I dead?” Az asked.
Her mother smiled at her. “You are in between.” She paused for a moment. “You have a grand future laid out before you. There is much to be done. And many more obstacles that you will have to overcome.”
“But I want to stay here with you?” Az felt the tears begin to fill her eyes again.
“I’m afraid that’s impossible, Sweetie.”
Az felt her heart sink inside her chest. She had felt out of place her whole life, and now here, the one place she felt like she could belong, wouldn’t allow her to. “Then why am I here?”
Her mom placed her hand on the side of her face, wiping away the stray tears that had collected at her chin. “Two reasons, actually. The first is my own selfish reason. I wanted to see you.”
Her mother’s face grew stern and serious. “The other reason is to tell y
ou this… sometimes people will re-enter our lives for a purpose, but not always the purpose we want to believe. Don’t underestimate your good judge of character–it has always been your gift. ”
Az nodded her head, not fully understanding.
“Promise me you will be careful.” The vision of her mom was beginning to fade, her body now transparent and ghostly.
“Please don’t do this…, don’t leave again.” Az begged at what was now a mist that was swept away by the wind.
Her mom’s voice rang out through the field one last time. “It’s time for you to go back. I love you.”
***
Tannah lay unmoving on the merciless floor. Every heartbeat was slower. She was fading from this present life. “Jen… you have to heal her. You’re the only one who can.” With every word Tannah spoke the one following took more effort and life from her.
“But it’s too late,” Jen said as she began to cry, watching Tannah struggle to hold on.
“It’s not too late.” Tannah paused, building up strength to continue. “You know what has to be done.”
“I need to heal you first,” Jen argued.
“No…, you don’t have enough strength to heal us both.” At this point Tannah had begun to whisper her words, and when she blinked, there were seconds before her eyes could open themselves again.
Jen nodded at Tannah, understanding the importance of what she had to do but fearing her ability to do it. “I’m scared, I don’t know if I can.”
Tannah looked at Jen with caring eyes. “We all are. However, this is your gift. This is why you were created.” Tannah placed Jen’s hand on her wing. Tannah’s wing was soft under Jen’s fingertips, and it trembled at her touch. “You can do this,” Tannah insisted.
Jen ran her hand down the length of Tannah’s wing, and then with all of her strength, she pulled a feather from its follicle. Jen’s hand shook as she held the feather. The wings of an angel are much like an organ. As a human, you need a heart to beat and carry blood through the body. For an angel, wings did the same. They worked in harmony with the other organs to survive.
Jen jumped up and ran over to Az. She carefully studied Az, knowing any wrong move would be catastrophic. Jen knew that as a healer, it was possible to bring someone back to life if they hadn’t crossed over yet, but she herself, had never witnessed any angel do this. She was now lacking the confidence that usually came so effortlessly. If she didn’t at least try then she knew Tannah’s death would have been in vain, and that all they had worked for would be lost. Jen held the feather firmly with both hands, positioning the tip over Az’s chest. She closed her eyes and concentrated.
Kale and Gage looked at Jen with confusion. “What are you doing?” Kale asked.
She looked at their faces. “A miracle.”
With her hands still held above Az, she began to speak an ancient passage, and as she spoke, her voice grew louder with each word. Without hesitance, she drove the quill of the feather through Az’s skin and into her heart. She continued the passage. It was so loud that it echoed off the walls.
Then she paused, opening her eyes. She backed away, leaving the feather in place. The light from around it shined and was almost blinding as the feather started to wilt and dissolved into Az’s wound. Jen’s body gave way and Kale kneeled down, catching her before she hit the floor. “I’ve got you, you’re okay Jen,” he said as he eased her to the ground. Jen’s eyes rolled faintly before she focused them on Kale. “Did it work?” she asked.
Gage moved himself closer to Az and placed his hands on her face. Staring at her made him regret not doing more to keep her safe.
To Gage’s amazement, Az’s eyes flickered and slowly opened. “Kale?” she said incoherent and disorientated. Gage ground his teeth and tried to breathe patients into his body.
Kale looked at Jen, waiting. “I’m okay. Go,” Jen said.
Kale let go of Jen and rushed over to Az. “I’m here.” He placed his hand on top of hers. Gage backed away, giving them some room.
Az looked around. Her heart started to ache as she realized that her mother and the field of daisies were a distant dream…, a dream that she couldn’t get back. “She’s gone,” she said in a weepy voice.
“I’m so sorry, Az. Even though Tannah is gone, she did what she came here to do… which was to keep you safe. She wouldn’t have wanted it any other way.”
Her head was pounding, and his words spun in her mind as she tried putting them together in an order she could understand. “What do you mean?”
“Weren’t you talking about Tannah?” Kale continued.
“Tannah?” Az asked as she started to cry, turning her head away from Kale. This wasn’t fair. My life wasn’t worth losing hers. She thought to herself.
Kale pulled Az up and cradled her next to his chest. Gage watched from across the room. He was fighting his own demons–his love for Az and the resentment he felt for Kale. He wanted to be the one that comforted her, but he would not hurt her by standing in Kale’s way.
Jen was still exhausted, but she was able to stand. All of her power had been drained, and she wouldn’t be able to use it again for quite some time. She had done the unimaginable–she had saved Azaleigh.
Kale scooped Az up, carrying her like a child while Gage went over to help Jen. Bruised and beaten, they finally maneuvered their way out of the monastery. The rain had stopped, and the sun had broken through the clouds that had previously painted the sky. There was an undeniable newfound sense of freedom that everyone felt, even for Az, who lay limp in Kale’s arms. They would all walk away with scars that they would carry for the rest of their lives…, some physically…, some emotionally…, but there was one scar that they would all carry–Tannah’s death. They had lost a mentor, a partner, and a friend. She would be in their memory and hearts, for always.
They stopped suddenly, seeing Kano standing at the edge of the forest. He was holding Scarlet’s dagger, which glinted in the sun. Everyone stood motionless as he approached them. Az could barely lift her head to see why they had paused.
“Why are you here?” Kale asked. His face was skeptical.
Kano held up the dagger–the light reflected in Kale’s eyes. “I am sure you are aware of what this is.”
Kale shook his head. “It belonged to Scarlet. That is all I know.”
Kano smiled, but it was Jen who spoke. “It is a life form of its own. Death would be a peaceful alternative to the horror and pain that it causes.”
Kale stared at Jen as he watched her face contort into pain of its own. Whatever horror she had experienced, showed in her eyes. Jen faced Kale and continued. “It devours the soul of any creature. The souls that are trapped in there live in a world of torture. Good and bad all suffer the same punishment...” Then she turned her gaze back to Kano. “…Including Mitch.”
Silence fell on them all. Gage and Kale both stood in astonishment. Neither of them knowing exactly what had happened.
“And now Tobias,” Kano informed. His voice was cold and steely. “This blade holds the evilest of souls. He who possesses it, can inflict pain and suffering beyond imagine.”
Gage asked what everyone else was afraid to. “What is it that you want?”
Kano’s face remained expressionless. “I want the girl.”
“No! I will not trade Az.” Kale’s voice showing the emotion and turmoil he felt, and worst of all, it showed his love for Az.
A smile hinted across Kano’s face as he read into the emotion Kale had just displayed. “It is not her that I want.”
Anger burned through Kale as understanding came to him. It was Jen that Kano was asking for. Kale’s mouth tightened. “We will not give up one of our own to satisfy a treaty. If need be, we will fight any of the evilest souls that are held in there.”
“He’s right.” Jen stepped forward, keeping her eyes focused on Kano. “I know how dangerous it is. I know what’s in there.”
“No, Jen. We can fight anything, together,” Kale a
rgued.
Jen turned to him and then looked down at Az. “You have other priorities. I have to do this.” Kale’s face filled with agony. His relationship with Jen was the same as a sibling. He could not willingly give her up to such a cruel beast.
Stepping forward, Kale started to protest but Gage placed his hand on Kale’s arm, stopping him. “Let her go.
Jen nodded once to Kano. “I need a minute.”
Jen walked over to where Gage stood. She wrapped her long delicate arms around his waist. Her embrace was still weak, and her body looked frail. “Take care of her for me,” she whispered in his ear. Over hearing that, gave Az a nervous feeling of things to come, but she was too weak to be concerned.
After letting go of Gage, Jen made her way to Kale. She touched the side of Az’s face and looked up at him. “Remember what I said about staying here?” Kale bobbed his head in response. “It is a gift, Kale. There’s magic here…, but I know now, that it doesn’t belong to creatures like us.” Az’s heart sank with sadness for Jen–she had lost a lot. Mitch’s death would not be something that she would ever get over. The guilt she carried was much too heavy. Jen stood on her toes and softly placed a kiss on Kale’s cheek. Leaning in Az’s ear, she whispered. “Hold on tight. There’s a long road ahead. I’ll see you again…, I promise.”
Before tears could start, Jen walked away. She stood within inches of Kano’s face. “After you,” Jen said, and although she spoke resentfully, there was hope in her voice. Kano smiled and hurled the dagger into the ground at Gage’s feet. He then led her towards the forest.
Off in the distance, the sound of thunder pounded the earth. At first it was thought to be the storm returning, but then the sound became louder–coming closer. The ground trembled with the rhythmic beat. Like magic, the most breathtaking white stallion appeared at the edge of the woods. It was unnaturally large in size. Its eyes were the color of onyx, and its mane and tail were twice the length of any normal gelding. Metal armor covered the horse from head to rear, giving it a mechanical look.
Kano leapt onto the stallion’s back, using his wings to give him a boost. Jen followed suit, placing her body in front of his. The horse reared back and took off into a gallop.
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